Recent MN BSN grads, how long did it take you to get a job?

For those of you who have graduated in the last few years with a BSN, (ADNs too), how long did it take you to find a job? Did you have to relocate? Did you want to relocate? What department(s) are you working in? What hours are you working?

I am going to start nursing school in the spring, but am REALLY worried about the job market after I graduate, although I know it is many years away. I just wanted to know how long it took you all to find a job. I am located in northern MN, and would really like to stay there!

I graduated in May 2007; had phone and face-t-face interviews before then for areas in MN, SD and ND, and a job offer in April of 07. I did relocate; I was expecting to, though, as I wanted to work at a magnet hospital. I work in acute care, working a 0.9 FTE, day/evenings with every 3rd weekend (previous 2 years I worked every other weekend). Have you looked at public health as an option? My advice is be flexible and get in where you can. It may not be your first choice, but then again, many nurses, especially new grads, don't stay in an initial position very long. If you can get a PT job (PCA, CNA) while you're in school, it may really help; if not, volunteer at the hospital or place you want to be at. Get involved in things in school (SNA, student/faculty committees, etc), and be open to new experiences. The market, at least on the Range and in Duluth, I've heard is very tight, and if you can get an 'in' somewhere, or have excellent references and experience where you want to be at, it may help. And if you can get your leadership / capstone hours done where you want to be, that can help...as can doing an internship between junior/senior year. Within a few years, we hope that the job market is improved! Good luck!

Dec 30, '09

Thanks for the response, mom2cka!

I'm sorry, but what exactly is 0.9 FTE? Excuse my lack of understanding.

I have not yet looked into public health as an option. I was trying to go into school with as open of a mind as possible, to see what areas I would really like. I know that public health was something (one of the hundreds of things) I was interested in, when in college the first time. Thanks for the idea, I will definitely look into it more.

What would you recommend more? Working as a CNA, or volunteering? I have a nice job right now, that is very flexible, and don't have a problem with working as a CNA, I just don't know how flexible they would be with my school schedule.

Thanks again!

Dec 30, '09

A 0.9 FTE is the full-time equiv. of 72 hours per pay period (out of 80) or, if 8-hour shifts, 9 out of 10 possible shifts. Lots of places require a 0.8 or above for full-time benefits (medical, dental, PTO, etc).

I wasn't able to work as a PCA/CNA during school; I did do some volunteer work, including time at a homeless shelter; it did help me, but not as much as it may have to have worked within a hospital. Any patient-centered experience you can get will be helpful. I had a strong business background in computers and customer service, though, which I turned to my advantage when interviewing.

Do what you can - go where you want to be, or a facility like it, and do what you can. If you're interested in Public Health, look into Minnesota Responds, or volunteer for the Red Cross, shelters, your local senior center, etc. If you want hospital work, talk to a volunteer coordinator there. Business-type jobs exist within the hospital too, as unit secretary, scheduler, etc... may be a roundabout way to get to where you want to be, but the networking aspect of work and volunteering can be invaluable. Good luck! If you need Iron Range or Duluth-specific examples, I may be able to help a bit; not sure where in northern MN you are, though.